Lakota East High School, both the freshman and main campuses, were among the first scheduled stops in a new series of community fanfare events supporting student achievement.

The concept, derived from a first day of school tradition at Hopewell Junior School, brings community and school leaders together to send a message of support to Lakota students. At different times throughout the school year, the district is inviting community residents and businesses to join school staff for a fanfare-like welcome to school for students.

The group’s task is a simple one: Line the school’s entrance and give students high-fives and words of encouragement as they’re filing into school. The new tradition aims to provide students with a visual display of all their supporters during times like testing and the start of a new semester.

Lakota East hosted welcoming groups on Dec. 15 as a way to lift students up during first semester exams. The district’s partnership with the West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance drew many local business professionals, like Daron Fender of SpotOn Productions.

“Seeing all the students’ reactions was a really fun way to start the workday,” Fender said. “Plus, it was only a 15-minute pit stop on my way to work.”